Diarrhea: Symptoms and Causes

Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery, and possibly more frequent bowel motions. It can occur on its own or in conjunction with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, or weight loss.

Fortunately, diarrhea is usually just temporary, lasting only a few days. When diarrhea lasts for more than a few days or weeks, it’s usually a sign of something else, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or a more serious condition like a chronic infection, celiac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Types of Diarrhea

Acute Diarrhea: This type of diarrhea causes loose and watery stools and usually lasts for one to two days. This is the most common type, and generally gets better by itself without treatment.
Persistent Diarrhea: If you have persistent diarrhea, it will last two to four weeks. If symptoms persist for this length of time, you may need to be medically assessed.
Chronic Diarrhea : Chronic diarrhea persists for over four weeks or occurs recurrently over an extended duration. This sort might be indicative

Symptoms of Diarrhea

Following are the symptoms of diarrhea are as follows

Abdominal pain and cramps
Bloating
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Blood in the stool
Mucus in the stool
Urgent need to have a bowel movement

When to see a doctor?

Visit your doctor in the following cases:

Your diarrhea lasts longer than two days without improving.
You become thirsty.
You are experiencing significant abdominal or rectal pain.
Your stools are bloody or dark.
You have a temperature of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 C)

Diarrhea in children, especially small infants, can quickly dehydrate them. If your child’s diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours or if your child suffers from below condition, then visit the emergency department of a hospital.

Severe dehydration
Has a temperature of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit? (39 C)
Has black or bloody stools

Get the best treatment for diarrhea from our Gastroenterologist and General physicians at ONUS hospitals.

Causes of Diarrhea

Diabetes, regardless of type, is caused by having too much glucose circulating in the bloodstream. However, the cause of your high blood glucose levels varies depending on the type of diabetes.

Infections: Diarrhea is often caused by bacterial, viral or parasitic infections. Food poisoning, norovirus, rotavirus and Giardia infection are examples.
Food Sensitivities or Allergies: Diarrhea may occur in some individuals due to food intolerances or foods like lactose, gluten, or fructose.
Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics, magnesium-containing antacids, and chemotherapy drugs, can cause diarrhoea.
Digestive issues: Chronic or recurrent diarrhoea may be caused by conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Stress and Anxiety: For some people, emotional stress, anxiety or nervousness can lead to episodes of diarrhoea.
Dietary Factors: Eating very fatty, spicy, or rich food can sometimes upset the digestive system, causing diarrhoea.
Contaminated food or water: Eating or drinking contaminated food or water can cause diarrhoea, also known as traveller’s diarrhoea.
Gallbladder Removal: Some experience diarrhoea after gallbladder surgery due to changes in bile production and digestion.
Malabsorption disorders, such as celiac disease or pancreatic insufficiency, in which the body can’t properly absorb nutrients, can lead to diarrhoea.
Hormonal Changes: Hyperthyroidism and other hormonal imbalances may result in increased bowel movements and diarrhoea.

Prevention of diarrhea

Infectious diarrhea prevention – To avoid the transmission of contagious diarrhea, wash your hands. Handwashing should be done as follows:

Frequently wash your hands: Wash your hands before and after making food, after handling raw meat, going to the bathroom, changing diapers, sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose.
When handwashing isn’t an option, use hand sanitizer. When you can’t reach a sink, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Apply the hand sanitizer like hand lotion, covering both hands’ fronts and backs. Make sure the product contains at least 60% alcohol.

Diagnosis of Diarrhea

Your doctor may recommend several tests to help determine the cause of your diarrhea:

Blood Test: A complete blood count (CBC), electrolyte levels, and kidney function tests can assess the severity of dehydration and any underlying health issues.
Stool Examination: A stool sample may be analyzed to check for infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Hydrogen Breath Test: This test helps diagnose lactose intolerance. After you consume a lactose-rich liquid, your doctor will measure the hydrogen levels in your breath. Elevated hydrogen levels may indicate improper digestion of lactose.
Colonoscopy or Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Your doctor can examine the colon using a flexible tube with a camera. A colonoscopy views the entire colon, while a flexible sigmoidoscopy focuses on the lower colon. Your doctor may also take a biopsy (tissue sample) for further analysis.

Treatment for Diarrhea

Treatment for Diarrhea depends on its cause and severity. Here are some common approaches:

Rehydration: The primary treatment for diarrhea is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS), sports drinks, or clear broths can help restore hydration and balance electrolytes.
Dietary Adjustments: Avoiding fatty, spicy, or dairy foods may help reduce irritation. The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) is often recommended for its gentle nature on the stomach.
Medications: Over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) can help reduce symptoms of acute diarrhea by slowing down bowel movements. However, these should be used cautiously and not for diarrhea caused by infections, as slowing down the intestines can prolong the illness.
Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection is diagnosed, antibiotics may be prescribed. However, they are not effective for viral causes of diarrhea.
Probiotics: Probiotics can help restore the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut, especially after a bacterial infection or antibiotic treatment.
Treatment for Underlying Conditions: If diarrhea is caused by chronic conditions like IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, or food intolerances, medications and treatments specific to those conditions will be necessary.

Lifestyle Modifications and Personal Care

Without therapy, diarrhea usually clears up fast. Try the following to help you cope with your signs and symptoms till the diarrhea goes away:

Water, broths, and juices are all good sources of liquids. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.
As your bowel movements improve, gradually introduce semi-solid and low-fiber foods. Soda crackers, toast, eggs, rice, or chicken are all good options.
For a few days, avoid dairy, fatty foods, high-fiber foods, and foods with a lot of seasoning.
Inquire about anti-diarrhea drugs. Anti-diarrheal drugs such as loperamide and bismuth subsalicylate may help control severe symptoms and lessen the number of watery bowel movements.
Probiotics may be beneficial. They are available in capsule or liquid form and in some foods, such as certain yoghurt brands.

Dos and Don’ts

There are some sets of do’s and don’ts for recovering from diarrhea and its symptoms. Follow these tips to cure diarrhea fast

Do’s	Don’ts
Drink more water to keep your body hydrated.	Don’t eat the wrong foods, such as high-fibre foods, greasy, oily, or fried food.
Take anti-diarrheal drugs, such as Imodium or Pepto-Bismol as prescribed as they can be quite effective in alleviating the symptoms of diarrhea in the short term.	Exercise strenuously: intense exercise can make your dehydration worse or even lead to greater distress in your gastrointestinal tract.
Eat food that is good for your gastrointestinal system.	Don’t take beverages such as alcohol, coffee, berries, and too-hot or too-cold beverages
Take probiotics that are good for gastrointestinal health such as yoghurt, cheese, pickles, and sauerkraut.	Don’t take dairy products for some time.

Diarrhea Care at ONUS Hospitals

At ONUS Hospitals, we have the most trusted team of doctors and medical experts who are experienced in providing excellent healthcare services to our patients. Our dedicated team of experts, trained nurses, and other paramedical staff offer the best care to patients. We use advanced medical technology and facilities to diagnose and treat conditions. For the treatment of diarrhea, we have an experienced team of gastroenterologists who diagnose and treat this condition with the utmost precision, resulting in successful treatment outcomes.

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